A Fellowship Of Bakers & Magic is book 1 of the now 5 book long series by J Penner. I'm very much looking forward to reading more from this series.

Set in a fantasy, D&D-esq world, this book follows non-magic human and struggling baker Arleta as she takes part in a Great British Bake Off style competition. Will she find romance with the handsome elf who helps her find her way to the completion? Will she get turned away from the competition when they realise she has no magic? And if she is able to stay, will she have the confidence to see the competition through?

This book was a really lovely read, and I can certainly see why it's been compared to Legends & Lattes. It has feel good vibes and I particularly liked the friendships that grow between Arleta and some of the other contestants.

I'm also very much looking forward to more from her gay Orc neighbours later on in the series.

A very well done read from J Penner! I am really enjoying all of the cozy/pseudo-fantasy books out there right now.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for providing me with an arc for an honest review.

Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. This was absolutely adorable! I see that it was originally self-published and now picked up by another and I can see why. This very much has the feel of Legends and Lattes in being very cozy fantasy with low stakes for us but very high stakes for Arleta and her life. All of the recipes sounded delightful and I adored the characters. I am sad to have missed the second one when released on NetGalley but have requested a copy from my library so I can spend more time in Adenashire. 4.5 stars.

The characters and the story are sweet. The plot was relatively thin and I liked how it ended, it's a cozy story with a lot of potential for more in-depth worldbuilding.

The edition would have benefited from another round of editing to tighten up the prose. There are too many slightly awkward word choices and phrasings that were a little distracting.

A fun cozy Romantasy & quick read!

Arleta was a super relatable protagonist; most of us go through some sort of self doubt like her.

The ending was so sweet with everyone getting an HEA or hints at one in the rest of the series

Although I am generally a fan of cozy fantasy, this was a little too far over on the cute side for me. I am glad this genre is having a moment though!

The premise of this sounded super interesting and perfectly cozy. I am a huge fan of the cozy romantasy genre. Unfortunately this story didn't pull me in, as I had hoped it would. I ultimately decided to DNF this one. I may try this as an audiobook in the future.

I got this book as an ARC, and the title and cover
immediately drew me in. I love a cozy fantasy story, and I could tell this was
going to be very cozy.

Arleta is one of the only humans in a town full of magical
beings, and as a consequence, she’s treated as a second-class citizen. Her
passion since she lost her parents and has had to support herself is to make
her living as a baker. However she meets opposition due to being non-magical.
When an elf named Theo shows up and tells her she has been invited to compete
in a baking competition in an elven city against the best bakers in the realm.
Will she be able to hold her own as a non-magical competitor?

I wanted to love this book. A magical version of Great
British Bakeoff? Yes please! However the writing felt a bit derivative. None of
the plot points felt original, I was never excited to find out what would
happen next. Even the romance fell flat for me. It definitely had the vibes,
but I’m sorry to say it was all vibes and no substance.

This story was delightful. It delivers on what it promises, it's cozy and it's sweet. I found the writing style a bit too flowery and descriptive at times, so it's not my personal favorite, but i can see how it can be enchanting. The romance was a bit cliche, but nevertheless, it did feel believable.

The competition aspect is always a win for me, the food descriptions were delicious. The plot was fast paced and in parts a bit repetitive but this didn't diminish my enjoyment. Ultimately what mattered most to me was that I came to care for Arleta and the other characters (Jezis is my favorite!) and I am invested in their story and will definitely continue the series when I am in the mood for something more relaxing.

Overall if you have been meaning to give cozy fantasy a chance, I think you will enjoy this one. Sometimes cozy stories with their low stakes can feel boring, but Fellowship of Bakers and Magic touches on real themes, fears and struggles and does leave you feeling better in the end.

Cute! Love the title page change- I think it speaks to a broader audience- however I love my fae, orcs and elves and I love cozy bakery books with low stakes and romance- I will eat it up almost every time, and this time was no different.

Thank you for the arc!

4.5⭐️! This was a cute cozy fantasy read! It really felt like Arleta was gaining confidence throughout the whole book in her abilities and herself overall. I loved the baking competition in the book and thought it was so fun. I did also enjoy the little bit of romance that was added in! Looking forward to the next one!

Cozy fantasy, low stakes and baking- a great combo. I really enjoyed this once I got about 15% into it, it did have a slow start but keep with it. I liked the idea of a fantasy baking competition but I do wish there was more baking! I loved the side characters so much and cannot wait to read more about them. I enjoyed this start to the series and is a good book for fans of Legends and Lattes.

3🌟

This was a really cute read! It wasn’t high stakes, which made it the perfect palate cleanser. This would be such a great read in the fall. I would describe this as cozy fantasy meets Great British Bake Off. It was predictable, but not in an annoying way. I did wish there were more magic elements or a surprise development of sorts for the FMC, but everything was pretty straightforward. I really enjoyed the friendship in this book, and it made me interested in reading the next book in this series. I may not have picked this book up otherwise, but it was a delightfully light read, so I appreciated it.

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic by J. Penner – 4/5 stars
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a cozy fantasy that blends baking, magic, and a touch of romance. Set in the enchanting town of Adenashire, the story follows Arleta Starstone, a human baker without magic, who is secretly entered into the prestigious Langheim Baking Battle by her orc neighbors. As she navigates the competition, Arleta faces challenges of self-doubt, prejudice, and unexpected feelings for an elf named Theo.
What works:
• Charming Setting: The world-building is delightful, with a whimsical mix of magical creatures and a baking competition that mirrors The Great British Bake Off.
• Heartwarming Themes: The story explores themes of self-worth, found family, and the idea that magic isn't just about spells but also about kindness and resilience.
• Sweet Romance: The budding relationship between Arleta and Theo adds a gentle romantic element to the narrative
What could be improved:
• Character Development: Some characters, including Arleta, could benefit from deeper development to make their journeys more compelling.
• Pacing: The story occasionally feels slow, especially in the beginning, as it sets up the world and characters.
• Predictability: The plot follows a familiar trajectory, which may not offer surprises for readers seeking more complexity
Final thoughts:
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is a delightful read for fans of cozy fantasy and baking-themed stories. While it may not break new ground, it offers a comforting escape with its charming setting and heartwarming themes. It's a perfect choice for those looking for a light, feel-good fantasy experience

A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic was a delightful cozy fantasy. This was a fast paced read and for enjoyable. The characters were wonderful!
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing me with a arc in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the idea of elves, dwarfs, and orcs alongside a baking competition. I would love to have been able to taste every food item. And I liked Theo. He seemed very practical, down-to-earth, and very kind. However, I struggled with Arleta. She was very hateful towards herself, and while I can be and understand stubborn, she was over-the-top. The last scene with a certain person really made me very done with Arleta.

There was obviously another message that the author had placed within the novel. But without going deeper or creating ACTUAL conversations around it, it felt more like “oh hey, here’s what’s going on. Moving on.”

Overall, I rate this novel 3.5 out of 5 stars.

This book took me a little while to get into, but once the story got started, I was glad to be reading it.

The storyline was fun and it truly felt like I was immersed into this magical cooking contents. It was a great introduction to the world and set up future stories well.

Overall, this was a nice cozy read and breath of fresh air.

Very fun and very cute. I like that there wasn’t a lot of deliberation and misunderstanding (or at least that they didn’t last long). I loved the found family at the end as well. I could definitely read more about these characters.

In a nutshell:
A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic is just as fun as watching The Great British Bake-Off and Harry Potter…combined! This book is like a warm blanket that is sure to comfort you and put you in a good mood, just like your favourite things to watch on TV. The characters become your friends from page 1, and the world-building completely transports you to the magical world created by J. Penner.

Synopsis:
Arleta Starstone is a talented and passionate baker, and all she wants is to open her own bakery and make her late parents proud. Despite her insecurities, when a charming elf shows up at her doorstep to tell her she was selected to compete in the Langheim Baking Battle, the most prestigious baking competition in the land, she can’t resist taking this chance. But will her magicless baking stand a chance against the best bakers, who just so happen to have magic at their disposal?

My thoughts:
I loved the found family aspect. All the characters were so lovable and amazing, and they fit together like a glove in this family of misfits. I could not pick who my favourite character is, as the selection is top-notch:
• Arleta, the star of the show, a heroine you love to root for, major overthinker and so relatable in her insecurities and doubts,
• Theo, the swoonworthy love interest, who says things like “I will be yours whether or not you want me, until I am no more.” *swoons* *screams* *cries* *dies*
• Doli, the cheerful dwarf who is giving best friend goals (and has major Sookie from Gilmore Girls energy)
• Jez, the grumpy fennex who will literally put a knife to the throat of anyone who tries to hurt her friends…and also complain about the same friends’ constant chattering and laughter the next second
• The gay orc couple next door, aka the dads you never knew you needed
• Or perhaps even one of the many fun and quirky side characters.

I am telling you, this book is worth reading for the characters alone. But then add to that the most vivid magical world that makes you forget about your dull reality the moment you read the first page; and the most fun competition element. Fair warning though, it will leave your mouth watering and your hands itching to grab a whisk and pluck some rosemary yourself. This one is for the sweet tooths amongst us.

I also loved J. Penner’s writing was so natural, readable, and easy to get into while creating the most beautifully detailed imagery. The dialogue was great, too, and all of it combined made me fly through the book. I would definitely read more from this author, and I am buzzing to continue this series and see what adventures await the gang next.

Thank you Poisoned Pen Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this book so much! I immediately bought a copy as soon as I finished and purchased the second book. This was so lighthearted and cozy and just joyful. The competition aspect was fun and I also loved that it was not the whole entire story. This is truly a story of finding oneself and the friendships we can find along the way. Arleta was such a great character and I loved following her story. I am so excited to see where she and Doli and Jez get into next. Theo was also an absolute joy and it did drive me a bit nuts when Arleta was denying her feelings for him. The ending was so heartwarming and I just had such a fun time with this one! Highly recommend!